Black Caps Set for Blockbuster Home Summer Against Cricket Giants

Wednesday - 25/06/2025 10:17

The South Africa leg will see double-headers involving both the men's and women's teams

New Zealand is set to host a series of high-profile international teams, including Australia, England, South Africa, and the West Indies, for a busy home summer in 2025-26. The New Zealand Cricket (NZC) announced the schedule, which also features a twin white-ball series for the women's team against South Africa and Zimbabwe.

The New Zealand men's cricket team faces a challenging schedule leading up to the T20 World Cup.

The men's team have a packed schedule ahead of the T20 World Cup next year © Getty

The action begins with a three-match T20I series against Australia, commencing on October 1. Following this, England will arrive for a white-ball tour, playing three T20Is from October 18 and three ODIs starting October 26.

The West Indies will then embark on a comprehensive tour, starting with five T20Is from November 5, followed by three ODIs beginning November 16, and culminating in three Test matches, the first of which starts on December 6.

The White Ferns will also have a busy home season with 14 white-ball matches, starting early next year, after their participation in the ODI World Cup 2025 in India and Sri Lanka.

Zimbabwe will tour New Zealand for the first time, playing a three-match T20I series starting February 25, followed by a three-match ODI series, part of the ICC Women's Championship 2025-29, beginning March 5.

A five-match T20I series against South Africa will be played as double-headers alongside the men's matches from March 15 to 25. The White Ferns will also play three ODIs against the Proteas Women between March 29 and April 4.

"It's great to welcome such a diverse range of opponents for both the Blackcaps and White Ferns, and especially pleasing for NZC to host the first-ever series between Zimbabwe and New Zealand women," said NZC Chief Executive Scott Weenink. "Fans will see top-tier cricket across all our major centres, with the doubleheaders against South Africa offering a chance to watch the very best female and male cricketers in the world on display in a unique day-out experience."

Weenink added, "We're thrilled to build this exciting home summer around the ICC Men's T20 World Cup and on the back of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup, giving our players a chance to shine on the global stage as well as at home in front of their own fans. We've seen fantastic crowds across the country over the past few seasons and are looking forward to that continuing this summer given the strength of the schedule."

Fast bowler Kyle Jamieson echoed the sentiment, stating, "It feels like a marquee summer. The calibre of opposition means we'll be constantly tested for the duration of the season and that's what you want as a cricketer. It's great to have another three-Test series at home and I'm sure the fans will get in behind the Test team as they have in seasons gone by. It's always special to play in front of a home crowd and we're hoping Kiwis will get out in force to support us once again this summer."

New Zealand's Home Schedule 2025-26:

vs Australia